Alexandria Venture Investments

Ability Biotherapeutics develops tailored immune-modulating biotherapeutics to address unmet medical needs in patients with cancer and autoimmune diseases, utilizing advanced AI technology.

Ability Biotherapeutics develops tailored immune-modulating biotherapeutics to address unmet medical needs in patients with cancer and autoimmune diseases, utilizing advanced AI technology.

AltPep Corp is a biomedical startup that specializes in diagnosing and treating amyloid diseases, which are known for their complexity and difficulty in management. The company has developed a proprietary peptide-based platform designed to diagnose and neutralize toxic precursors associated with these diseases. This innovative approach includes diagnostic, therapeutic, and anti-biofilm applications, particularly aimed at the early detection of toxic oligomers in Alzheimer's disease through a soluble oligomer binding assay. By focusing on early detection and effective treatment strategies, AltPep aims to enhance healthcare outcomes related to amyloid diseases, ultimately improving human health.

IgGenix is a biotechnology company that develops an antibody-based therapeutic platform to treat food and other severe allergies. The platform re-engineers allergen-specific IgE antibodies into IgG antibodies to suppress the allergic cascade and alleviate or prevent allergic reactions. It identifies rare human B cells expressing allergen-binding antibodies and engineers them to endow immune-modulating activities derived from the IgG antibody class. Based in South San Francisco, California, the company aims to accelerate clinical responses to life-threatening allergies.

Developer of innovative pharmaceutical platforms and therapies focused on treating central nervous system disorders. Dantari specializes in researching and developing small and large molecule therapeutics that can cross the blood-brain barrier, aiming to rapidly advance treatments for meaningful patient improvement.

GeneCentric Diagnostics is engaged in the development and commercialization of molecular diagnostic tests aimed at assisting oncologists and patients in cancer treatment. The company has established two primary platform technologies: The Lung Subtype Platform (LSP), which classifies lung cancer patients into specific subtypes to guide therapeutic choices, and the Hypoxia Signature, designed to identify patients likely to benefit from anti-angiogenesis therapies. The LSP has been licensed to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings and is available as HistoPlusSM: Lung Cancer through its Integrated Oncology division. GeneCentric's innovative partnership model facilitates the translation of significant cancer research into diagnostics that are clinically adopted by pathologists and clinicians. Incorporated in 2011 and located in Durham, North Carolina, GeneCentric aims to enhance treatment outcomes by enabling more precise targeting of therapeutic compounds based on tumor biology.

Nitrase Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company developing therapies against a novel class of enzymes called nitrases, initially focusing on Parkinson’s disease. Its proprietary platform enables the identification and targeting of these enzymes to potentially slow or halt disease progression.

eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in San Diego, California, that specializes in the development of selective translation regulators for the treatment of cancer and other serious diseases. Founded in 2012, the company is pioneering a new class of oncology drugs known as selective translation regulator inhibitors (STRIs). These drug candidates specifically target the eIF4F complex and its associated kinase, MNK 1/2, which play critical roles in protein synthesis and are linked to prominent cancer signaling pathways such as PI3K-AKT and RAS-MEK. eFFECTOR's products aim to inhibit pathways that drive tumor growth, survival, and immune evasion by regulating the expression of oncoproteins and immunosuppressive proteins. The lead candidate, tomivosertib, is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2b trial for non-small cell lung cancer in combination with pembrolizumab. Additionally, zotatifin, an inhibitor of eIF4A, is undergoing dose-escalation in a Phase 1/2 trial, with further expansion cohorts anticipated. The company also collaborates with Pfizer to advance inhibitors targeting eIF4E.

IgGenix is a biotechnology company that develops an antibody-based therapeutic platform to treat food and other severe allergies. The platform re-engineers allergen-specific IgE antibodies into IgG antibodies to suppress the allergic cascade and alleviate or prevent allergic reactions. It identifies rare human B cells expressing allergen-binding antibodies and engineers them to endow immune-modulating activities derived from the IgG antibody class. Based in South San Francisco, California, the company aims to accelerate clinical responses to life-threatening allergies.

Veralox Therapeutics specializes in the development of small molecule therapeutics aimed at addressing the underlying pathologies of thrombosis and type one diabetes. The company focuses on innovative treatment paradigms informed by a deep understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in these diseases. By targeting conditions such as heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis, Veralox Therapeutics aims to enhance patient outcomes and facilitate complete recovery from diabetes. Through its research and development efforts, the company seeks to provide effective and transformative therapies for individuals affected by these serious health conditions.

SeQure DX is a biotechnology company specializing in genomics diagnostics for CRISPR-based gene editing therapies. It develops technologies that identify potential off-target sites prior to therapy initiation, ensuring comprehensive confirmation of actual edits. This enables safer and more effective gene editing therapeutics development, benefiting both researchers and patients.

AltPep Corp is a biomedical startup that specializes in diagnosing and treating amyloid diseases, which are known for their complexity and difficulty in management. The company has developed a proprietary peptide-based platform designed to diagnose and neutralize toxic precursors associated with these diseases. This innovative approach includes diagnostic, therapeutic, and anti-biofilm applications, particularly aimed at the early detection of toxic oligomers in Alzheimer's disease through a soluble oligomer binding assay. By focusing on early detection and effective treatment strategies, AltPep aims to enhance healthcare outcomes related to amyloid diseases, ultimately improving human health.

Sonoma Biotherapeutics, Inc. is focused on developing adoptive T regulatory (Treg) cell therapies aimed at treating autoimmune and degenerative diseases. Established in 2019 and based in South San Francisco, California, with an additional office in Seattle, the company employs next-generation genome editing and target-specific cell therapy techniques to innovate in the field of Treg cell therapeutics. The firm aims to create disease-modifying and potentially curative therapies that promote self-tolerance and inhibit harmful inflammatory responses associated with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease. Founded by experts in Treg biology and cell therapy, Sonoma Biotherapeutics integrates advanced methodologies to enhance its therapeutic offerings.

TARA Biosystems, Inc. is a biotechnology company that specializes in developing organ-on-a-chip technology for evaluating new therapies and drug compounds, particularly in the field of cardiac medicine. Founded in 2014 and based in the United States, the company produces predictive in vitro human cardiac tissue models derived from human stem cells. These models are matured to physiologically relevant adult-like levels, allowing for accurate measurement of cardiac functionality, including contractile force. TARA Biosystems focuses on enhancing drug discovery and safety assessment processes by providing high-fidelity solutions that enable faster and safer development of new medicines. By harnessing human biology and data, the company aims to transform cardiac drug discovery and improve patient health outcomes.

Nitrase Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company developing therapies against a novel class of enzymes called nitrases, initially focusing on Parkinson’s disease. Its proprietary platform enables the identification and targeting of these enzymes to potentially slow or halt disease progression.

Aspen Neuroscience develops autologous neuron replacement therapies based on induced pluripotent stem cells to treat neurological conditions, starting with Parkinson's disease. The company uses patient-specific restorative cell therapies by combining pluripotent stem cell biology with genomic approaches and artificial intelligence to address both sporadic and familial forms of Parkinson's disease, focusing on autologous neuron replacement to modify disease progression. Based in San Diego, California, the company is a development-stage biotechnology company pursuing expansion of its iPSC-based platform to other brain disorders.

Founded in 2015, ImCheck Therapeutics specializes in developing immunotherapeutics targeting members of the butyrophilin super-family for treating a range of autoimmune diseases, with a primary focus on immuno-oncology.

Aitia is a leader in the application of Causal AI and Digital Twins focused on advancing drug discovery and development. The company utilizes machine learning and the convergence of multi-omic patient data to create Digital Twins that replicate the biological mechanisms of diseases. This innovative approach is particularly impactful in areas such as oncology, neurodegenerative disorders, and immunology. Aitia's Gemini Digital Twins are currently employed to identify novel therapies and expedite research and development in various conditions, including multiple myeloma, prostate cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and Huntington’s Disease, with additional projects underway. The company collaborates with several prominent pharmaceutical firms, academic institutions, medical societies, and patient advocacy groups worldwide, thereby enhancing the potential for breakthroughs in medicine.

Magnolia Neurosciences Corporation is a New York-based company focused on drug discovery and development, specifically targeting neuroprotective therapies for central nervous system diseases and neurodegeneration. Established in 2018, the company aims to create proprietary small molecule therapeutics that prevent neuronal cell death, offering new treatment options for patients with neurodegenerative disorders and related conditions. Magnolia Neurosciences was founded to advance technologies developed at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Therapeutics Discovery Division and the Neurodegeneration Consortium. Through its innovative approach, the company seeks to address significant medical needs in the field of neurology.

Antiva Biosciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company based in South San Francisco, California, focused on developing antiviral therapies for human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. Established in 2012, the company aims to prevent cancer by treating precancerous lesions associated with HPV. Antiva's innovative approach includes localized therapeutics and small molecule antivirals that target HPV and other viral infections. The company is currently conducting clinical trials for high-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasias and high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasias. Through its medicinal chemistry platform, Antiva strives to enhance health outcomes for patients affected by HPV-related diseases and other viral infections.

Skyhawk Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of small molecule therapeutics that aim to correct RNA expression. The company's proprietary technology facilitates the rational design of these small molecules to target specific binding pocket regions on RNA, employing both sequence and structural specificity at critical moments during the RNA splicing process. This innovative approach allows for the targeting of diseases associated with RNA mis-splicing, particularly those characterized by exon skipping. Skyhawk Therapeutics is committed to developing treatments for various conditions, including cancer, neurological diseases, and rare disorders. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, the company has evolved from its initial identity as Rare Genetix, Inc., adopting its current name in May 2018.

StrideBio, Inc. is a gene therapy company based in Durham, North Carolina, focused on developing innovative genetic medicines for rare diseases. Founded in 2015, the company utilizes a proprietary structure-inspired adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector engineering platform to create unique and differentiated vectors. These vectors are designed to improve upon naturally occurring AAV serotypes, addressing limitations of first-generation gene therapies. StrideBio's technologies facilitate gene addition, silencing, and editing, providing potential curative options for patients with severe medical conditions. By combining structural insights with accelerated evolution, StrideBio aims to produce novel AAV capsids capable of evading neutralizing antibodies, ultimately enhancing treatment outcomes for those affected by rare diseases.

Skyhawk Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of small molecule therapeutics that aim to correct RNA expression. The company's proprietary technology facilitates the rational design of these small molecules to target specific binding pocket regions on RNA, employing both sequence and structural specificity at critical moments during the RNA splicing process. This innovative approach allows for the targeting of diseases associated with RNA mis-splicing, particularly those characterized by exon skipping. Skyhawk Therapeutics is committed to developing treatments for various conditions, including cancer, neurological diseases, and rare disorders. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, the company has evolved from its initial identity as Rare Genetix, Inc., adopting its current name in May 2018.

eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in San Diego, California, that specializes in the development of selective translation regulators for the treatment of cancer and other serious diseases. Founded in 2012, the company is pioneering a new class of oncology drugs known as selective translation regulator inhibitors (STRIs). These drug candidates specifically target the eIF4F complex and its associated kinase, MNK 1/2, which play critical roles in protein synthesis and are linked to prominent cancer signaling pathways such as PI3K-AKT and RAS-MEK. eFFECTOR's products aim to inhibit pathways that drive tumor growth, survival, and immune evasion by regulating the expression of oncoproteins and immunosuppressive proteins. The lead candidate, tomivosertib, is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2b trial for non-small cell lung cancer in combination with pembrolizumab. Additionally, zotatifin, an inhibitor of eIF4A, is undergoing dose-escalation in a Phase 1/2 trial, with further expansion cohorts anticipated. The company also collaborates with Pfizer to advance inhibitors targeting eIF4E.

Antiva Biosciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company based in South San Francisco, California, focused on developing antiviral therapies for human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. Established in 2012, the company aims to prevent cancer by treating precancerous lesions associated with HPV. Antiva's innovative approach includes localized therapeutics and small molecule antivirals that target HPV and other viral infections. The company is currently conducting clinical trials for high-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasias and high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasias. Through its medicinal chemistry platform, Antiva strives to enhance health outcomes for patients affected by HPV-related diseases and other viral infections.

Egenesis is a biotechnology company focused on gene editing and genome engineering to develop human-compatible organs, tissues, and cells for transplantation. Its platform enables the creation of solid organs and therapeutic cells intended for transplantation, addressing the global organ shortage. The company pursues programs in kidney and islet cell transplantation and related regenerative approaches. It is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with an additional office in New York.

EpiBiome, Inc. is a precision microbiome engineering company based in South San Francisco, California, founded in 2013. The company is dedicated to developing therapies that address infectious diseases in humans and agriculture without relying on small-molecule antibiotics. EpiBiome focuses on phage therapy, which targets specific strains within the microbiome, effectively treating antibiotic-resistant infections. Its applications include treatment for mastitis in dairy cows and addressing infections caused by Escherichia coli in humans. By utilizing advanced sequencing and bioinformatic processes, EpiBiome aims to identify pathogenic bacteria and microbiome changes that contribute to disease, offering innovative alternatives to combat the rising threat of antibiotic resistance. As of July 2018, it operates as a subsidiary of Locus Biosciences, Inc.

TARA Biosystems, Inc. is a biotechnology company that specializes in developing organ-on-a-chip technology for evaluating new therapies and drug compounds, particularly in the field of cardiac medicine. Founded in 2014 and based in the United States, the company produces predictive in vitro human cardiac tissue models derived from human stem cells. These models are matured to physiologically relevant adult-like levels, allowing for accurate measurement of cardiac functionality, including contractile force. TARA Biosystems focuses on enhancing drug discovery and safety assessment processes by providing high-fidelity solutions that enable faster and safer development of new medicines. By harnessing human biology and data, the company aims to transform cardiac drug discovery and improve patient health outcomes.

Petra Pharma Corporation is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company based in New York, focused on discovering and developing innovative therapies that modulate phosphoinositide (PI) signaling pathways for the treatment of cancer and metabolic diseases. Founded in 2015, the company targets novel enzyme pathways that play crucial roles in various cellular processes, such as cell division, growth, trafficking, and signaling. By developing small molecules aimed at these processes, Petra Pharma seeks to create impactful therapeutic options that enhance patient care and improve health outcomes.

Calimmune is a clinical-stage gene therapy company focused on HIV, developing cell-based therapies to protect individuals with HIV from progression to AIDS. Its lead candidate, Cal-1, is a gene-based therapy designed to modify immune cells to reduce HIV entry and replication by lowering CCR5 and preventing viral fusion, with activity demonstrated in preclinical studies and evaluated in Phase I/II trials. The company is based in Tucson, Arizona, and aims to address HIV at various stages of infection and treatment history by delivering durable cellular therapies that strengthen the immune system.